Putting on piggy pudge

By Laura Conner Massengale

Lucy and the other girls are in warmer quarters for the winter.

Fall is off to a great start. This year, I planted my first ever fall garden. Within several weeks, I could already see little green faces popping out to greet me. There is nothing more rewarding or overflowing with life lessons as planting a seed, caring for it and enjoying the harvest it yields. Hopefully in the coming month, I will be enjoying a bountiful harvest of carrots, kale, spinach, broccoli, squash, bite-sized Brussels sprouts and purple cauliflower.

The impending cold weather brought many necessary projects to the homestead. The outside pigs, Houidini and Doyle, got to enjoy extra helpings of feed over the last few months. This ensures they have plenty of piggy pudge to keep them warm in the winter.

Keeping the chickens warm is also a concern for the cold months. To ensure none of the girls or my rooster, George Washington, suffer frostbite, I wrapped the open coops in plastic sheeting to help keep their body heat and warmth from the day’s sunshine contained during the freezing nights. I made covered feeders out of PVC pipe to protect their feed from icy conditions. To make morning chores faster, I rearranged feeders and water buckets for easier access during the colder months. This redhead does not enjoy being out in the freezing weather!

Oliver, our mini piglet, came to live with us on the homestead several months ago. He is a four-pound ball of curiosity, mischief and snuggles. I am in the process of training him, and so far he can do several tricks, including “sit” and “up.”

Oliver is mostly housebroken now and uses a litter box in his room to do his business. Although he gets in his fair share of trouble, like breaking my laptop or stealing food when no one is looking, his funny little personality and love of cuddles on the couch make up for his shenanigans. I hope one day to get him certified as a therapy pig.

The coming months bring the dreaded cold weather, but also hold steps to making my ultimate dream of living on a larger farm come true. It is such a blessing to be within reach of a lifelong goal.

About the Author

Laura Conner Massengale and her husband, Gabe, are members of Piedmont EMC and live in Orange County. From time to time we will publish her reports on their homesteading adventures. Follow Laura's blog at homesteadredhead.com